Geocaching Etiquette

Geocaching dos and don’ts

Don’t leave food in a cache. Food can spoil and the
smell can attract animals which may break into the cache and
destroy it.

Never put anything dangerous, illegal or offensive in a
cache. Geocaching is popular with families, so use common
sense when picking items to leave behind.

Always exchange an item for one of equal or greater
value. This keeps the caches interesting and prevents them
getting filled up entirely with the kind of junk you would
find in a Christmas Cracker.

Always put the cache back the way you found it. The
cache should be left well hidden in the exact same spot. It
is not considered good manners to move the cache to a spot
that you might feel is more “appropriate”.

Make sure the cache is properly sealed when you leave,
or water will enter and the cache may be ruined.

Guidelines of the Geocaching Association of Great Britain:

1. Ensure the cache container is clearly marked, stating that
the content is harmless and giving the placers e-mail address or
other contact method (eg GAGB contact phone number)

2. Only items that would be deemed safe and acceptable for an
unaccompanied child to find should be placed in a cache.

3. No cache should be placed in such a way as to risk damage or
disturbance to any Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or
Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM)

4. When placing a cache, the onus is on the placer to seek the
permission of the landowner.

5. Caches should be placed in a way that they will not be
accidentally found by non-geocachers.

6. No items of food or drink of any kind should be placed in the
cache.

7. Caches should not be buried. Holes should not be dug in order
to place a cache.

8. Caches should not be hidden in animal holes or runs.

9. Cache containers should not be placed inside a polythene bag.

10. Fences should never be crossed (other than through a gate or
by a stile) when placing or seeking a cache.

11. No caches should be of a commercial nature, either in
location or content.

12. Maintenance of the cache is the responsibility of the
placer.

13. When leaving the cache site, after hiding or placing a
cache, there should be no visual sign of disturbance.

14. No cache should be placed in or on a dry stone wall.

15. Please do not bring geocaching into disrepute, never drive
your car anywhere other than on the highways and byways, and always park legally.